Diagnostic Test : Reading Comprehension

Directions: Read the passage. Then answer the questions below.

Text 1
The piranha is a much-maligned fish. Most people think that this is a deadly creature that swarms
through rivers and creeks of the Amazon rainforest looking for victims to tear apart. And woe
betide anyone unlucky enough to be in the same water as a shoal of piranhas. It takes only a few
minutes for the vicious piranhas to reduce someone to a mere skeleton.
The truth is that the piranha is really a much more nuanced animal than the mindless killer
depicted in the media. In fact, piranhas are a group made up of approximately twelve different
species. Each piranha species occupies its own ecological niche. One type of piranha takes
chunks out of the fins of other fish. Another type eats fruit falling from trees into the river. Each
piranha species plays a unique role in the ecology of the rainforest floodplains. So what should
you do next time you hear someone talking about the “deadly piranha”? You can remind them
that the piranha is not always the notorious killer fish that the tough, muscular heroes of popular
nature television shows would have us believe.
Questions
1. The primary purpose of the author is to
A. correct misconceptions about the piranha
B. illustrate the importance of piranhas in rainforest ecology
C. describe two different species of piranhas
D. instruct the reader on what to say if someone describes the piranha as “deadly”

2. In paragraph 1, the author most likely uses the old-fashioned expression “woe betide” to
A. highlight the danger posed by piranhas
B. suggest that the reputation of the piranha is well-deserved
C. emphasize the sarcastic tone
D. indicate that the passage was written in the 19th century

3. In paragraph 1, the author uses hyperbole—characterized by the use of exaggeration for effect
—to describe the piranha. The author most likely uses hyperbole to
A. frame an argument that is supported in a later paragraph
B. create ambiguity so the reader cannot be sure which position the writer supports
C. juxtapose the myth of the piranha with the truth about the fish
D. evoke vivid images of nature television shows in the reader’s mind

4. As used in paragraph 2, which is the best definition for unique?

A. irreplaceable
B. important
C. individual
D. unusual

5. As used in paragraph 2, which is the best synonym for notorious?

A. celebrated
 B. disreputable
C. notable
D. renowned

Text 2

Marcia says that all of her friends have a cell phone, but Marcia’s mom doesn't want to buy her
one. Marcia's mom doesn't want Marcia to play video games either. What is more, the Internet
scares her. Marcia's mom says, “If Marcia has a cell phone, how do we know whom she is
talking to? Video games are bad for you. The Internet is dangerous and uncontrolled. It’s like
having a gun in the house. We should just ban her from using the computer, and I'm not buying
her a cell phone until she is eighteen. This is the only way we can be sure that Marcia is safe."
Marcia’s dad disagrees with Marcia's mom. Although he agrees that there are some dangers to it,
he likes the Internet, and finds it to be very useful. “The trouble is,” he says, “We just can’t stop
Marcia from using the Internet, as this would put her at a disadvantage. What is more, I like
video games. I think that, when played in moderation, they are fun. Obviously, it is not good to
play them without restraint or self-control. Finally, I think Marcia needs a cell phone. We can’t
take these things away.”

Questions
6. Which of the following best describes the difference between Marcia's mom and Marcia's
dad?
A. Mom wants to ban Marcia from using the computer, while dad likes to play video
games.
B. Mom thinks technology is dangerous, while dad thinks it can be useful.
C. Mom cares little about Marcia's future, while dad is very supportive.
D. Mom is very strict while Dad is open minded.

7. Which of the following best describes the similarity between Marcia's mom and Marcia's
dad?
A. Mom and dad both like technology.
B. Mom and dad both think video games are bad.
C. Mom and dad both think the internet is dangerous.
D. Mom and dad both care about Marcia's wellbeing.

8. In paragraph 1, Marcia's mom says, "It's like having a gun in the house." She says this in order
to …
A. support the idea that the Internet is dangerous
B. reject the claim that guns can be safe if used responsibly
C. encourage Marcia's dad to purchase a gun
D. explain why the Internet is uncontrolled
9. In paragraph 2, Marcia's dad says, "We just can’t stop Marcia from using the Internet, as this
would put her at a disadvantage." What does Marcia's dad mean by this?
A. Marcia needs to learn how to use the internet if she wants to have friends in the future.
B. Marcia should not stop using the internet because this will seriously slow her learning.
C. If a person's ability to use the internet becomes important in the future, Marcia will be
at a loss.
D. If Marcia does not learn to use the internet on her own, then she will never learn to
recognize its dangers

10. In paragraph 2, Marcia's dad says, "Finally, I think Marcia needs a cell phone." Given what
you know about Marcia’s mom’s concerns, what is the best reason Marcia's dad can provide to
convince Marcia's mom that Marcia needs a cell phone?
A. Marcia can use her cell phone to talk to her friends, instead of needing to borrow one
of ours.
B. Having a cell phone will teach Marcia how to use new technology.
C. Because all of her friends have one, it would be unfair to disallow Marcia to have a
cell phone.
D. If Marcia's is in trouble she can use her cell phone to call for help.

Text 3

Some people say that the best defense is a good offense; an octopus, however, would
disagree. In addition to being one of the strangest and most beautiful creatures in nature, the
octopus has some of the most inventive and effective defense mechanisms imaginable. While
other animals have teeth, horns, or claws to help defend them from predators, the octopus
concentrates its energy on hiding from and confusing its attackers. When it wants to get away,
the octopus has an impressive arsenal of tricks at its disposal.
The most well-known of the octopus’s defense mechanisms is its ability to squirt clouds
of ink into the water. Some octopi use this cloud of ink as camouflage; after squirting the ink, the
octopus retreats into the ink cloud where the predator cannot see it. Other octopi use the ink
cloud as a decoy. If a large, intelligent predator such as a shark knows that octopi use ink clouds
for camouflage, it might simply attack the ink cloud blindly, hoping to make contact with the
octopus inside. However, some sneaky octopi will release the ink cloud in one direction and
scurry away in another direction, leaving the predator with nothing but a mouthful of ink. In
addition to confusing predators’ sense of sight, these ink clouds also confuse their sense of smell.
The ink is composed primarily of melanin (the same chemical that gives human skin its color),
which can shut down a predator’s sense of smell. If an octopus cannot be seen or smelled, it has
a much higher chance of escaping an attack.
Another defense mechanism possessed by many octopi is the ability to change color,
much like a chameleon. Most animals get their skin color from chemicals in the skin called
chromatophores (melanin is one of these chromatophores). Chromatophores might contain
yellow, orange, red, brown, or black pigments, and the amount of each pigment present in the
skin determines an animal’s color. While most animals are always the same color, some species
of octopi can control the amount of each color pigment in their skin cells, allowing them to
change color. Some poisonous octopi, when provoked, will change their skin to a bright, eye-
catching color to warn predators that they are dangerous and ready to strike.
Other octopi use this ability to change their skin to the color and texture of seaweed or coral,
allowing them to blend in with their environment. Finally, some octopi—such as the mimic
octopus—use this color changing ability to masquerade as another type of animal. The body of
an octopus is highly flexible, and some species can combine this flexibility with their color-
changing skills to make themselves resemble more dangerous animals such as sea snakes or eels.
Yet another defense mechanism possessed by some octopi is the ability to perform an
autotomy, or self-amputation, of one of their limbs and regrow it later. Many species of skink
and lizard also possess this ability, which allows them to shed their tails when caught by a
predator and therefore get away. When a predator catches a tentacle the octopus can amputate
this tentacle, thereby unfettering itself, and regrow the tentacle later. Some octopi, however, are
even cleverer. When threatened by a predator, these octopi will shed a tentacle before being
attacked in the hope that the predator will go after the detached tentacle rather than the octopus
itself.
While the octopus may not be the most vicious creature in the ocean, its numerous and
clever defense mechanisms help it to survive in the dangerous undersea world.
Questions

11. Which of the following sentences from the passage best expresses the main idea?
A. The most well-known of the octopus’s defense mechanisms is its ability to squirt
clouds of ink into the water.
B. Some people say that the best defense is a good offense; an octopus, however, would
disagree.
C. Another defense mechanism possessed by many octopi is the ability to change color,
much like a chameleon.
D. When it wants to get away, the octopus has an impressive arsenal of tricks at its
disposal.

12. The author claims in paragraph 1 that an octopus would disagree with the statement “the best
defense is a good offense” because …
A. octopi employ more defensive than offensive capabilities
B. octopi possess good defensive and offensive capabilities
C. octopi can protect themselves from teeth, horns, and claws
D. not all octopi possess the same defense mechanisms

13. Which of the following statements best describes the organizational structure of paragraphs
2-4?
A. The author lays out several reasons to support the argument that the octopus has the
best defense mechanisms of any sea creature.
B. The author devotes one paragraph each to explaining three different defense
mechanisms possessed by the octopus.
C. The author devotes one paragraph each to highlighting three potential threats to the
octopus and how the octopus deals with each one differently.
D. The author compares and contrasts three different defense mechanisms employed by
the octopus.
14. According to the passage, which of the following statements about the chemical melanin are
true?
I. An octopus’s ink is composed primarily of melanin.
II. Melanin is a chromatophore.
III. Like the octopus, chameleons use melanin to change color.
A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III

15. As used in paragraph 4, which of the following is the best synonym for unfettering?
A. freeing
B. regrowing
C. amputating
D. sacrificing

16. The final paragraph can best be described as a …

A. prediction conclusion, in which the author looks toward the future
B. full circle conclusion, in which the author incorporates and builds on a word or theme
from the introduction
C. solution conclusion, in which the author proposes a solution to a problem posed earlier
in the passage
D. summary conclusion, in which the author restates the passage’s main idea

Text 4
To Whom it May Concern:
On March 5, 2010, I bought a Perfect Muffin Kit from your store at Midfield Mall. The cashier
who assisted me was George. George was very friendly and assured me that the Perfect Muffin
Kit would live up to the guarantee on the box: “Perfect Muffins Every Time!”

Unfortunately, this product did not live up to its claim. Although the box promised, as I stated
above, to provide “Perfect Muffins Every Time,” the muffins I made were far from perfect. I
followed the directions included in the package very carefully. First, I removed the bag of mix
from the box. Then, I poured it into a bowl. Next, I added the correct amount of water to the mix
and stirred it. The directions said that after stirring the mixture, I could, and I quote, “add half a
cup of raisins, nuts, berries, or another favorite ingredient.” My favorite ingredient happens to be
hot sauce. I find that a dash of hot sauce makes pizza, pasta, and soup taste very delicious. So,
continuing to follow the directions, I added half a cup of hot sauce to the mix and stirred it.
Finally, I poured the mix into muffin tins and baked it in the oven at 350 degrees for exactly 20
minutes.

When the muffins finished baking, I was very excited to eat the “Perfect Muffins” as promised
on the box. You can imagine my disappointment when, upon tasting the muffins, I discovered
that they were not perfect. These muffins were, in fact, absolutely terrible. Not even my dog was
interested in eating these supposedly “perfect” muffins.
I would appreciate a full refund ($3.99) for this product as soon as possible. Enclosed are the
receipt, the empty box, and one of the un-perfect muffins so that you can experience it for
yourself. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Michelle Bauer

Question

17. This letter is most likely addressed to

A. the owner of the muffin mix company
B. a local storeowner
C. the clerk at a local muffin bakery
D. George, the cashier who sold Michelle the muffin mix

18. The tone of the author can best be described as

A. furious
B. disgusted
C. embarrassed
D. frustrated

19. As used in paragraph 1, which is the best synonym for guarantee?

A. lie
B. warning
C. promise
D. sentence

20. Which of the following best describes the organization of paragraph 2?

A. The paragraph follows chronological order, in which events are presented in the sequence that
they occur.
B. The author explains a problem and then proposes a solution to that problem.
C. The author makes an argument and then provides evidence to support that argument.
D. The paragraph follows a cause-and-effect order, in which a series of causes are given,
followed by their effects.

21. It can be understood that the author is disappointed by the product because
A. it was worth less money than she paid for it
B. it did not fulfill the promise made on the box
C. the directions included with the product contained a mistake
D. the directions included with the product were too difficult to follow

22. It can be understood that the author put hot sauce in the muffins because she
A. wanted to get a full refund
B. did not read the directions carefully
C. was out of raisins, nuts, and berries
D. considered it one of her favorite ingredients
23. The author’s main purpose in writing this letter is to
A. complain about how bad the muffins tasted
B. obtain a full refund for her money
C. prevent others from making the same mistake she did
D. persuade the company to change the wording on their box

24. Which of the following words best describes the author?

A. shrewd
B. senseless
C. unreasonable
D. careful

25. Instead of hot sauce, which of the following ingredients might the author have reasonably added to
enhance the flavor of the muffins?
I. raspberries
II. banana nuts
III. chocolate chips

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III

26. According to the author, the muffins tasted "absolutely terrible." This is the result of
A. misinterpretation
B. negligence
C. forgetfulness
D. recklessness

Text 5

Have you ever wondered what keeps a hot air balloon flying? The same principle that keeps food
frozen in the open chest freezers at the grocery store allows hot air balloons to fly. It's a very
basic principle: Hot air rises and cold air falls. So while the super-cooled air in the grocery store
freezer settles down around the food, the hot air in a hot air balloon pushes up, keeping the
balloon floating above the ground. In order to understand more about how this principle works in
hot air balloons, it helps to know more about hot air balloons themselves.

A hot air balloon has three major parts: the basket, the burner, and the envelope. The basket is
where passengers ride. The basket is usually made of wicker. This ensures that it will be
comfortable and add little extra weight. The burner is positioned above the passenger's heads and
produces a huge flame to heat the air inside the envelope. The envelope is the colorful fabric
balloon that holds the hot air. When the air inside the envelope is heated, the balloon rises.

The pilot can control the up-and-down movements of the hot air balloon by regulating the heat in
the envelope. To ascend, the pilot heats the air in the envelope. When the pilot is ready to land,
the air in the balloon is allowed to cool and the balloon becomes heavier than air. This makes the
balloon descend.
Before the balloon is launched, the pilot knows which way the wind is blowing. This means that
she has a general idea about which way the balloon will go. But, sometimes the pilot can actually
control the direction that the balloon flies while in flight. This is because the air above the
ground is sectioned into layers in which the direction of the wind may be different. So even
though the pilot can't steer the balloon, she can fly or higher or lower into a different layer of air.
Some days the difference between the direction of the wind between layers is negligible. But
other days the difference is so strong that it can actually push the balloon in a completely
different direction!

Questions

27. According to the passage, balloon pilots control the balloon’s altitude by …
A. moving into a different layer of air
B. regulating the air temperature inside the balloon
C. adjusting the amount of air in the envelope
D. changing the amount of weight contained in the basket

28. As used in paragraph 3, which is the best synonym for ascend?

A. move
B. fly
C. sink
D. climb

29. As used in paragraph 3, which is the best antonym for descend?

A. fall
B. float
C. rise
D. drop

30. According to the author, wicker is …

I. comfortable
II. lightweight
III. durable

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. II and III only
D. I, II, and III